Greetings, Out of The Box Enthusiasts!
We are thrilled to share the remarkable journey and success of our V-CALC Community of Practice (CoP) sessions. As a cornerstone of our commitment to sustainability and collaborative growth, these sessions have not only amplified the reach of our project outputs but have also fostered a thriving community dedicated to the advancement of volunteering impact measurement and policy development.
A Series of Engaging Sessions
Over the span of seven months, from November 21st, 2023, to May 29th, 2024, we conducted a series of seven dynamic online sessions. Each session was meticulously organized by our dedicated partners, with Out of the Box International (OTB) taking the lead by hosting two sessions. The sessions kicked off with CEV and concluded with OTB, ensuring a diverse range of insights and expertise.
Impressive Participation
We are proud to announce that our Community of Practice sessions attracted a total of 228 active practitioners. This included 59 men, 154 women, and 15 individuals who preferred not to disclose their gender. The diversity of our participants enriched the discussions and contributed to a holistic understanding of the topics at hand.
Interactive and Informative Sessions
Each CoP session was designed to be interactive and engaging. We featured expert guests who delved into specific topics, complemented by ice-breakers, multimedia presentations, and ample space for discussion. These one-hour Zoom meetings provided a space for volunteers, volunteer managers, community practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to come together, share knowledge, and exchange best practices.
Goals and Achievements
Our primary goal was to cultivate an active and engaged community. We aimed to provide a collaborative space for those interested in volunteering impact measurement and policy development. Through these sessions, participants explored various aspects of volunteering impact, learned about new policy trends, and gained practical insights on accessing EU funding mechanisms. The exchange of experiences and networking opportunities were invaluable.

Celebrating Success
We are delighted to highlight the outstanding success of our Community of Practice sessions. Not only did we meet our goals, but we also surpassed expectations by nearly doubling our anticipated number of participants.
Looking Forward
As we wrap up this journey, we celebrate the connections, advocacy, and dissemination achieved through our CoP sessions. The community we have built is a vibrant reflection of the power of collaboration and shared knowledge. We look forward to continuing this journey, fostering further dialogue, and sustaining the synergies we have generated.
Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to the success of our Community of Practice. Together, we are making a significant impact on the future of volunteering.
Warm regards,
Out of The Box International

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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
